Display case



Dec., 3, 1935. H. F. BEERs ET AL 2,023,260

DISPLAY CASE Filed sept. 29, 1952 2 sheets-sheet 1 Dec.. 3, 1935.. H. F. BEERS ET A1.

DISPLAY CASE Filed Sept. 29, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 UR /C 45 .46.47 4? 454 j J6) 5 E ma@ Y www WM5 m N WJM rw RC wh #d M ,UW W w 0 I 4.1 j 4 Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNITED STA'IES ATENT OFFICE DISPLAY CASE Harry F. Beers, Pelham, and Jacob W. Shrope, New York, N. Y.; said Shrope assigner to said Beers This invention relates to display cases, cabinets and the like, and particularly to the provision of a case composed of a plurality of wall sections wherein said sections are coupled together and interlocked to provide a substantially air-tight chamber or compartment therewithin,

and especially wherein the wall sections are coupled together without the use oi coupling or fastening devices of conventional form; and the object of the invention is to provide a oase of the class described wherein the side wall sections and top wall section have interengaging and interlocking members so constructed as to support and retain said sections against displacement with respect to each other, and further to the provision of wall sections composed of rectangular frames with means for supporting transparent or other panels therein; a further object being to provide means for forming a seal between the joints of said sections; a further object being to provide concealed means on one of the wall sections for latching or retaining all of the sections against displacement or separation; a further object being to provide means for hingedly supporting one or more of the sections to provide a door or doors for the case with means including a key for controlling the latching and unlatching of the door; a further object being to provide means for coupling a plurality of side wall sections together in end to end or abutting relation in forming relatively large cases; a still further object being to provide means for latch-l ing or keying predetermined wall sections to a bottom wall section or base; and with these and other objects in view, the invention consists in a device of the class and for the purpose specied, which is simple in construction, eflicient in use, and which is constructed as hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawings iorm a part, in which the separate parts of our improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each oi the views, and in which:

Fig. l is a perspective View of a case made according to our invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial section on the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a partial section on the line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig; 4 is a partial section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows detail views of the corner portions of two frame parts of one of the wall sections detached and indicating the manner of coupling the same together.

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail view showing a method of latching side wall sections toa bottom wall section to prevent displacement there- 5 from.

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail view showing a modiiied method of mounting and retaining the front wall section of the case in position.

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan View through the 10 side walls of a modified form of casing showing a hinge door and the coupling or" multiple side Wall sections.

Fig. 9 is a sectional plan view through a part of a modified form of case which we employ, illustrating the method of retaining or latching two adjacent doors of the case.

Fig. l0 is a partial section on the line lll-Ill of Fig. 9; and,

Fig. 11 is a section on the line Il-Il of 20 Fig. 10.

In carrying our invention into effect, we provide a box, case, cabinet or the like composed of a plurality of wall sections, the bordering frames of which are so constructed as to interlock with the bordering walls or frames of adjacent sections to provide in the resulting box or case a container in which screws, bolts and other fastening means for coupling the sections together are eliminated, thus permitting quick assemblage of the box or case, and still further in providing joints between the wall sections which will provide when required a substantially air tight compartment within the box or case.

One method oi carrying our invention into effect is illustrated in Figs. l to 5 inclusive in which a suitable bottom wall or base l2 is employed, the upper surface of the `base having four upwardly extending flanges I3 forming means for positioning the four Vertical wall sections of a box or case on said base. The vertical wall sections are c omposed of similar side wall sections l and l5 and a back wall section I6. At the front of the box or case vis a front door or lock section Il oi different construction from the sections lll, i5 and i6. A top wall section I8 is mounted upon and coupled with the upper ends of all of the vertical wall sections.

In the construction shown, all of the sections are composed of rectangular frames in which are mounted panels, the latter being glass panels in the construction shown so as to render the interior ofthe box or case visible from all sides as well as the top of the box or case. l

The frames of the side sections I4 and l5 are 55 of the same construction and consist of top and bottom frame bars which are substantially H- shaped in cross sectional form, and the brief description of one frame will apply to the other frame. The bottom bars I9 of said frames have lower channels I 9a. which t upon the flanges I3 of the base I2 and upper channels ISI) in which the glass panels 2B of said frames are mounted.

The panels 20 seat upon tar paper or other facings 2| in the channels and are held against movement in the channels by corrugated spring strips 2Ia which prevent rattling of the panels and also effect a seal of the panels in the channels. This mounting of the panels 2Q in all of the channels of the frames of the sections Iii, I5 is the same, as well as the mounting of the panels in connection with the sections IS, II and I8. The upper frame bar 22 of the sections I4 and I5 has a lower channel 22a in which the panel 20 seats, and an upper channel 22h which opens outwardly through a beveled upper face 22e on said bars.

The side or vertical bars 22 of the frames of sections I5 and I are of the same construction as the bars 22, except that the channels 22a thereof are directed toward each other in each section, and the channels 22h are directed outwardly and open through the beveled faces 22e thereof as clearly seen in Fig. 3 of the drawings which illustrates the frames of the section I4. It will be understood that the panel seats in and is sealed in the channels 22a of the frame bars 22 as in the other bars.

The top and bottom frame bars of the back section I6 are the same as the top and bottom parts of the sections Il and I5, but the side frame bars 23 of the back section diier from the side bars 22 in having projecting tongues or fianges 23a formed on the outer ends thereof arranged at right angles to the longitudinal plane of the section and adapted to enter the channels 221i of the rear vertical frame bars 22 of the sections I4 and I5, one of which connects as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The outer surfaces of the flanges 23a are beveled to tightly engage the outer wall of the channels 22D, and if desired, the inner ends of said flanges may operate in connection with cords or the like 24 mounted in the bottom of the channels 22b to effect a seal between these joints. In some cases, the cords 213 may be treated chemically to render the same germ proof or in providing a chemically sealed compartment within the box or case.

The outer ends of the frame bars 23 terminate in beveled walls 2319 which rest upon and form a tight joint with the beveled walls 22o of the frame bars 22. The bars 23 also have channels 23o on the inner sides thereof to receive the panel 22a of the back section. In this connection, it will be understood that while glass panels are shown, other types of panels may be employed, especially in some of the wall sections. For example, the back wall may be a metallic or other opaque panel or may be a panel having a mirror in a facing to provide reflection which would offset and be placed in the case on display.

The top section I8 has four frame bars 23', all of which are of the same construction and are similar to the side or vertical frame bars 23 of the section I5. The panel 2gb is supported in the channels of the bars 23' of the top section I8 and the tongues or flanges 23a of said bars enter the channels 22D of the top frame bars of the sections I4, I5 and I6 as well as the channel 25h in the top frame bar 25 of the front or door section Il. The latter has a panel 20c seating in the channel 25a of said bar as well as in the channels of the other frame bars of said section. This construction is seen in Fig. 4 of the 5 drawings.

The bottom frame bar 26 of the front section II is of H cross sectional form as the bottom frame bars of the other sections, having a lower channel 26a for receiving one of the flanges I3 10 and an upper channel 26h for the front panel 26e. The outer wall of the frame bar 26 is provided with apertures 25e to receive a tool piece or key indicated in dotted lines at 2l in Fig. 4 of the drawings to facilitate the raising and lowl5 ering of the section Il in the operation of opening and closing the case. The side frame bars 28 of the front section Il have on their inner faces channels 28a to receive the panel 2Go and at their outer ends fianges 28h similar in general 20 form and construction to the flanges 23a with the exception that the anges 23h are provided at spaced intervals with bayonet slots 28o, note Fig. 4 of the drawings, which are adapted to receive pins 29 mounted in and traversing the 25 channels 22h of the front vertical frame bars of the sections I4 and I5. The beveled walls 28d of the bayonet slots cooperate with the pins 29 to draw the section il inwardly in latching said section to the sections if; and I5 and to force 30 the inner edges of the flanges 28h in engagement with the sealing cords Zta arranged in the channels 22b. hi this connection, it will also be understood that the lower ends of the flanges 23a of the top section by gravity engage the sealing cords or strips 2Gb disposed in the channels 25h of the front section il and in the channels 22h of the sections I4, I5 and I.

The corner portions of the frame parts of all of the sections may be secured together in any desired manner in forming the rectangular sections thereof. In the construction shown, the sections IA, i5, i@ and I8 have one frame bar butting against the other bar at the corner portions thereof. rilnese frame bars at the corners may be coupled together by inserting a block 3B in the outer channel of one frame bar and securing the same within said channel by a screw 3I, the block extending in the channel of an adjacent frame bar and secured therein by a screw 32, one of which attachments is indicated at the bottom of Fig. 4 of the drawings. The front door section I'I differs from the other sections in having mortised joints between the vertical frame bars and the top and bottom frame bars. With this construction, the frame bars may be attached in the manner indicated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, in which gure, we have shown part of the vertical frame bar 28 and part of the top frame bar 25 viewed from the inside of said bars. These 60 bars terminate in beveled surfaces 33 which form the mortised joint, and the inner wall of the channel 28a is cut away as seen at 33a, whereas the inner wall of the channel 25a has a protruding handle piece 33D which is adapted to seat in 65 the recess 33a, and a screw is passed through an aperture 33o in a handle piece 33h and into a threaded aperture 33d formed in the web or bottom wall of the channel 28a of the frame 28. It will be apparent, however, that the separate frame bars may be welded or otherwise secured together, but the particular manner of coupling the frame bars is not an important factor as this may be done in many ways.

In assembling the case with the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the side wall sections I4 and I5 arefirst mounted in position, after which the back wall is placed in position, with the flanges 23a entering the channels 22h after which the top wall is mounted upon the side and back walls with the flanges 23a thereof entering the channels 22h of the top frame bars of said sections, after which the upper edge of the front section I'I is placed beneath the iront frame bar 23 rof the top section and in the front bars 22 of th side sections, and then by use of the tools 2T, the section I'I is raised sufficiently to bring the openings of the bayonet slots 28e in registering alinement with the pins 2S and to position the channel 26a above the flange I3, at which time, the lower end of the section I'I is moved inwardly and then allowed to drop by gravity, placing the flange I3 in the channel 26a and the pins 29 in the bayonet slots 28e, in which operation the front section I'I is drawn inwardly as described.

A case-thus assembled has no external screws, bolts or other devices and all of the sections are held in place and concealed by virtue of the joints described, the top section being retained in position by gravity. In order to again open the case, the tools 2,1 must be inserted in the apertures 26e and the front section raised to clear the flange I3 and the pins 29.

At this time, it must be understood that while small display pieces, boxes or cabinets may be made according to our invention, the invention is applicable to the construction of large display cases or cabinets such as are used in museums and other places in exhibiting, displaying and at the same time preserving articles placed on display by aiecting a seal between the joints of the several sections.

While we have shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a box composed of four vertical wall sections, it will be understood that these sections may be duplicated to increase the length or width of the resulting cabinet or case in the manner illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings. In this figure, we have indicated at 34, 35, two side wall sections and adjacent vertical bars 34a and 35a, which are coupled together by a mullion strip or strips 35 having channels 36a. for receiving flanges 34h, 35h of the frame bars 34a, 35a. It will be understood that any number of sections may be coupled together in a similar manner along the sides, back or front of a complete case or cabinet.

In Fig. 8, we have also illustrated a modification in the manner of supporting a door section 3'I, in which construction one of the vertical frame bars 31a of the section is coupled with an adjacent frame section 38 or the bar 38a thereof by a hinge 39 of conventional form. The pintle bearing 39a of the hinge is disposed at the abutting outer corner portions of the frame bars 37a, 38a. With this construction, the free swinging vertical frame bar 3th of the section 3'1 has a flange 3'Ic which enters a channel 34e in the frame bar 34d of the frame 34. It will also be understood that a cabinet or case may be constructed with two hinge door sections similar to the section 3?, and when doors are employed, it is desirable to lock or latch the same' against opening.

In Figs. 9, l0 and ll, we have shown a means for latching two door sections 4l) and 4I to an intermediate frame post 42 having channels 42a to receive the sealing flanges 49a, 4Ia of the door sections engaging sealing strips 43 in the cha-nnels 42a. The adjacent surfaces of the frame' sections of the doors 43, 4I have flanges 40h, 4Ib,- which overlie and seat upon the post or frame 42. Inwardly of the flanges, the doors carry pins o', 4Ie adapted to be engaged by latch bars 44 slid- 5 ably mounted upon opposite sides of the post 42. The bars are of similar construction so that a brief description of one will apply to the other.

The ends of each of the bars have elongated slots 45 through which are passed screws 46 se- 10 cured to the post 42 to key and guide the bar in its longitudinal or vertical movement with respect to the post, and the bar is provided with spaced bayonet slots 41 adapted to receive the pins 40o, 4Ic to latch and retain the doors against 15 displacement or movement with respect to the post 42. The latch bars 44 are moved into open and closed positions by a key 43 passed through apertures arranged in the outer face of the post 42, said key having a gear portion 43a adapted to 20" engage rack bars 49 formed on the inner face of the latch bars 44, the latter operating in elongated slots 5E' formed on the side walls of the post 42, the inner end of the key having a trunnion adapted to seat in holes formed in a block 5I to sup- 25' port the key in the operation thereof. Ihe key when placed in one of the holes, will be in posi-7 tion to engage the rack of one bar to latch and unlatch one of the doors and in another hole in latching or locking the other door. It will be 3U understood in this connection that the rotation of the key will raise or lower either of the latch bars 44 to couple and uncouple the same with the pins 4ilc, 4Ic. At this time it will also be understood that one latching or locking unit only will 35- be employed for locking a single door by thel use of a latch bar similar to that shown in Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive and a single key slot or opening to permit the operation of said bar.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings we have shown a 40 modified method of coupling the side sections I4,

I5 and I6 with a base or other support. In said figure I2a represents the base, and substituted for the flanges or key strips I3 are lock strips 52 which have substantially V-shaped recesses 53 to 45 receive correspondingly formed members or projections 54 on the bottom frame bars 55 of the different frame sections. The projections 54 extend into the channels 55 of said bars, and the manner of coupling the frame sections with the strips 52 is indicated in dotted and full lines in Fig. 6.

In most cases, the weight of the case or cabinet alone is sufficient tohold the same in place, but in the use of small cases such as counter or table 55 cases employing relatively small frame sections,

a means of locking the sections to the base or support will be desirable. It will be understood that the locking of two of the sections will be-sufcient to retain all of the sections against displacement from the base by virtue of the interlocking engagement of the diierent sections with respect to each other.

In Fig. 7 of the drawings, we have shown another slightv modification wherein an angular wedge strip El having an upwardly extending tongue or key bar 58 is substituted for the tongue I3 with which the front door section II is coupled, the strip 51 being disposed between the lower surface of the door section I? and the base 76 |21). With this construction, the upper edge of the door section may be placed beneath Vthe top section and within and between the side sections with the lower end portion of the door section extending outwardly, after' which this 75 lower end may be forced inwardly into proper position. The beveled surface 51a on the strip 51 facilitates this operation. This type of construction would be desirable in the mounting of heavy or large door sections. With this construction, the bayonet slots 59 on the door section will be directed upwardly rather than downwardly as in Fig. 4 so that the pins 69 on the adjacent side wall sections will slip into the slots 59 as the doo'i section is forced inwardly and upwardly.

It will be understood that the construction shown in Fig. 7 avoids the necessity of raising the door section to clear a flange strip such as that shown at I3 in Fig. 1 of the drawings. In addition to acting as a wedge, the strip 5l forms a finish strip at the lower end of the door section.

It will be understood that while we have shown certain details of construction for carrying our invention into effect and have illustrated boxes, cases or cabinets of specific form, that our invention is not limited in these respects, as other principles of coupling and assembling wall sections of any kind or class in the construction of boxes, cases, cabinets or the like may be made within the scope of our invention, and various changes in and modifications of the construction herein shown and described may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of our invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A case or cabinet of the class described comprising a base and front, back, side and top wall sections, all of said sections including bordering frames, interengaging means integral with the adjacent members of the bordering frames of said sections for retaining said sections directly together without the use of coupling or fastening devices independent of said means, said bordering frames forming nishing edges for the case or cabinet formed thereby, means for retaining the front, back and side wall sections against shifting movement on the base, the front section forming a door, means including said rst named means on the door and adjacent side wall sections for latching said sections together in the longitudinal movement of the adjacent members of the frames of said sections one with respect to the other, the frames of said sections having channels on the inner edgesl thereof, panels mounted in the channels of said sections, means for sealing the panels in said channels, and the coupling means between the frames of said sections comprising a longitudinal groove on one frame part and an elongated ange on the adjacent frame part entering said groove.

2. A case or cabinet of the class described comprising a base and front, back, side and top wall sections, all of said sections including bordering frames, interengaging means integral with the adjacent members of the bordering frames of said sections for retaining said sections directly together without the use of coupling or fastening devices independent of said means, said bordering frames forming finishing edges for the case or cabinet formed thereby, means for retaining the front, back and side wall sections against shifting movement on the base,

,the front section forming a door, means including said rst named means on the door and adjacent sideV Wall sections for latching said sections together in the longitudinal movement of the adjacent members of the frames of said sections one with respect to the other, the frames of said sections having channels on the inner edges thereof, panels mounted in the channels of said sections, means for sealing the panels in said channels, the coupling means between the frames of said sections comprising a longitudinal groove on one frame part and an elongated ange on the adjacent frame part entering said groove, means in said groove engaged by the flange for forming a seal between said parts to provide a substantially air-tight compartment within the case or cabinet, and the peripheral edges of the frame of the top section and the top and side edges of the frames ofv the front, back and side sections being all beveled.

3. A case or cabinet of the class described comprising a base, and front, back, side and top shifting movement on the base, the front section forming a door, and means including said rst named means on the door and adjacent side wall sections for latching said sections together in the longitudinal movement of the .Y

adjacent members of the frames of said sections, one with respect to the other, the door section being mounted in position after the assemblage of the other sections by placing the upper edge of the door section beneath the forward edge of the top section, then raising the door and top section and then moving the door inwardly and downwardly.

4. A case or cabinet of the class described comprising a base upon which is arranged four rectangular side wall sections and a top wall section, two opposed side wall sections having outwardly directed peripheral channels on all edges thereof, the other opposed side wall sections having outwardly directed channels at r the upper and lower edges thereof and having integral flanges longitudinally oi the side edges thereof adapted to enter the channels in the side edges of the first named wall sections, said top wall sections having downwardly directed peripheral flanges adapted to enter the channels at the upper edges of all of said side wall sections in retaining said sections together, adjacent edges of said wall sections independent of the channels and flanges being beveled, one of said side wall sections constituting a door section, and means including the flanges thereon for latching the same to adjacent side wall sections.

5. A case or cabinet of the class described comprising a base and front, back, side and top wall sections, all of said sections including bordering frames, interengaging means integral with and extending longitudinally of the adjacent members of the bordering frames of said sections for retaining said sections directly together without the use of coupling or fastening devices independent of said means, said bordering frames forming nishing edges for the case or cabinet formed thereby, means for retaining the front, back and side wall sections against shifting movement on the base, one wall section having means at one side thereof and on an adjacent support for locking the section to the support, said means comprising a movable lock bar on the support and cooperating with spaced pins on said section, a gear rack on said bar, and a gear key adapted to be coupied and uncoupled with the rack, the rotation of which Will move said bar into operative and inoperative position.

6. In a cabinet of the class described composed of a plurality of wall sections With interengaging means integral With adjacent edges 0f the Wall sections for retaining said sections together to form a cabinet Without the use of conventional fastening devices, a support disposed between two adjacent Wall sections, independently movable lock bars movably mounted on said support, one adjacent each section and inoludng means engaging spaced pins on said sections for independently locking the sections to the support, gear racks on adjacent surfaces of said lock bars, a gear key for engaging the gear racks of said bars to move the same into open and closed positions, and spaced means on the support for receiving the key to retain the same in positions to independently engage the racks of said bars.

7. In a cabinet of the class described composed of a plurality of Wall sections With interengaging means integral with adjacent edges of theV Wall sections for retaining said sections together to form a cabinet Without the use of conventional fastening devices, a support disposed between two adjacent wall sections, independently movable lock bars movably mounted on said support, one adjacent each section and including means engaging spaced pins on said sectionsfor independently locking the sections to the support, and means on the support for independently engaging said lock bars to move the same into open and closed positions.

HARRY F. BEERS. JACOB W. SHROPE. 

